Thanks Connect Thank you for downloading my product. I truly appreciate your support and look forward to hearing your feedback. You can connect with me and find many free activities and strategies over at my blog KeslerScience.com I look forward helping you focus your instruction while saving tons of time. You Might Also Like All 8 INB Notebook Templates 35% Savings! Kesler Science Station Lab Activities 40%+ Savings! Engaging Lessons for Busy Teachers
Kesler Science Station Lab Gravity If you have never used my Kesler Science Station Labs before please download the FREE Start-Up pack from my TPT store. It will provide you with all of the signage and best practices in order to run the station labs in your classroom. The large directions cards included in this file are intended to be read by the leader of the group once the students get to the station. The smaller task cards can be read by another group member. I prefer that each student do their own lab write-up (included at the end of this file), so that they may use it for reference at a later date. The answer key is provided at the end of the document. Lastly, if any of the internet resources no longer work for some reason please let me know via email at chris@keslerscience.com. I cannot guarantee that all resources will be available, but I tried to choose ones that have been around for many years.
Kesler Science Station Lab Gravity Teacher Directions Explore It! I will spend much of my time at this station making sure that the students are doing the gravity arrows correctly. The weight activity is in a separate file in the zipped file you purchased. You will need to set out some calculators as well unless you want your students practicing the math. Illustrate It! You will need to set out colored pencil and markers at this station. Read It! Print several different copies (I use 6) of the reading passage so that multiple students can read at different paces. Organize It! The cards for this activity are attached near the end of this file. Print several sets and then just put them in the basket/baggies for kids to pull from. This is also a good one for later in the week to demonstrate mastery too! Students should be encouraged to do the Research and Explore station before attempting this one. Write It! Students should be encouraged to do the Research and Explore station before attempting this one. Research It! The goo.gl link on the task card is case-sensitive. The original link is https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/my-solar-system/my-solarsystem_en.html Watch It! The video is on YouTube and my Google drive. Use YouTube unless your school is blocked. The original link is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhy1fucsrqi Note that both URL s are case-sensitive. Assess It! Students should be encouraged to do the Research and Explore station before attempting this one. If I grade anything I usually take a close look at the answers from this station.
Write It! Station Directions It is recommended that you have completed at least two of the following stations before working at this station. -Read It! -Explore It! -Watch It! -Research It! Answer each of the task card questions on the lab sheet in complete sentences.
Explain why the Earth orbits the Sun, but the moon orbits the Earth. How does size impact gravitational force? How do the Sun s gravity and the Earth s inertia keep us orbiting in the solar system?
Assess It! Station Directions It is recommended that you have completed at least two of the following stations before working at this station. -Read It! -Explore It! -Watch It! -Research It! Each member will answer the questions from the task cards on the lab sheet in the Assess It! section.
A. Inertia B. Gravity C. Size D. Energy What is the governing force in the solar system when it comes to movement? How does size of an object impact gravity? A. The objects closer to the Sun have more gravity B. The smaller the mass of an object the more gravity it has. C. Size does not impact gravity D. The larger the mass of an object, the more gravity it has. All of the objects in the solar system orbit around the. A. Sun B. Earth C. Nearest star (Alpha Centauri) D. Universe A. Volume, Distance B. Volume, Speed C. Mass, Distance D. Mass, Speed and both impact how much gravity is exerted on an object.
Read It! Station Directions Each member of the group will read the passage and answer the questions from the task cards on the lab sheet in the Read It! section. It is important to remember that the answers will come directly from the reading passage.
Gravity Gravity has been around since the very beginning of the universe, and it works the same way everywhere in the universe, on all kinds of different objects, of all different sizes (larger than atoms - those are held together by atomic forces instead). The bigger an object is, and the closer you are to it, the stronger its gravitational pull is. In the very beginning of the universe, after the Big Bang, gravity pulled atoms together to make stars and planets. Once the stars and planets had formed, gravity kept the planets in orbit around the stars, and moons orbiting around the planets. On each planet that is large enough, gravity even keeps an atmosphere around the planet. On Earth, gravity keeps the air around us (and everything else) from drifting off into space. Gravity also causes things to fall to the ground, and causes the ocean's tides, and causes hot air to rise while colder air falls (which in turn causes wind). Nobody fully understands how gravity works, or even why gravity exists. One way of looking at gravity is to think of it not as a force like magnetism, but instead as a natural result of the way mass bends space. Any object with mass (like a star) pushes on space and bends it, so that other objects (like planets) that are moving in a straight line are also going around the star. It looks to us like the star is pulling on the planet, but really the star is bending space. One of the most famous scientists to discuss gravity is Isaac Newton. Although it has been told over and over that he discovered gravity after being hit in the head by a falling apple, it is now believed this story is somewhat unlikely.
When did gravity begin in the universe? A. When the solar system started B. At the beginning of time C. After the formation of our galaxy D. When the Earth was just rocks What keeps the atmosphere around planet Earth? A. The weight of clouds B. Gravity of the moon C. Gravity of Earth D. The force the Sun pushes towards Earth A. Einstein B. Degrasse Tyson C. Newton D. Galileo Which famous scientist first began discussing gravity? Another title for this passage could be? A. How Gravity Changes the Tides B. The Sun s Gravitational Impact C. Newton and Gravity D. Gravity A Quick Summary of This Powerful Force
Watch It! Station Directions Each member of the group will go to the website listed on task card #1 Complete the task cards in order. Every student will answer the questions from the task cards on the lab sheet in the Watch It! section of the lab sheet.
YouTube http://goo.gl/q3y2p7 G Drive http://goo.gl/vd3med Both URL s are case-sensitive 1. Click Play on the video. 2. Answer questions from cards #2-4 on your lab sheet. 1. What is the cloud of dust and gas called where our solar system originated? YouTube 1. The video suggests the Earth was started by these two things? (around the 2:00 mark) 1. Summarize the video in 1-2 paragraphs about how the solar system was developed and what keeps it in place today.
Research It! Station Directions Each member of the group will go to the website listed on task card #1 Complete the task cards in order. Every student will answer the questions from the task cards on the lab sheet in the Research It! section.
1. Go to http://goo.gl/v6c3gc 2. Do not change any of the settings and click START. 3. Write your observations about the orbit of the planet and star. 1. Click STOP. 2. Change the # of bodies to 3 at the bottom. 3. Write your observations about the orbits of the 3 celestial bodies. 1. Click STOP. 2. Change the # of bodies to 4 at the bottom. 3. Write your observations about the orbits of the 3 celestial bodies. 4. How does this model relate to our solar system? You may play with the model for an additional 5 minutes. 1. What is the force that governs all motion in our solar system?
Explore It! Station Directions One member of the group will read the task cards in order. The group will be responsible for completing each of the tasks that are being read. Each member of the group will then write their conclusions down on the lab sheet in the Explore It! section.
Use the map of the solar system to perform the following activities. 1. Use one of the arrows to show the direction the Sun s gravity is pulling on the Earth. 2. Use the other arrow to show the direction Earth s inertia if the Sun s gravity did not exist. The line circular line around the Sun represents the Earth s orbit and how the Earth travels around the Sun due to the Suns gravity and the Earth s inertia. They balance each other out and put the Earth and other planets into a stable orbit around the Sun. The Earth s orbit is considered a balanced force. Use the data table to find out how much you would weigh on other planets in the solar system 1. How much do you weigh on a. Mars b. Jupiter c. Saturn d. Mercury The worksheet for the weight activity is in an separate.pdf with the download file
NOT TO SCALE
Sun s Gravity Sun s Gravity Earth s Inertia Earth s Inertia Sun s Gravity Sun s Gravity Earth s Inertia Earth s Inertia
Illustrate It! Station Directions Each member of the group will draw a quick sketch on the lab sheet the shows they understand the concept that is being taught. Use the colored pencils and markers that are provided. The directions for the sketch are provided on the task card at the table.
Illustrate It! Station Directions Make an drawing that shows how gravity impacts the orbit of the Sun, Earth, and Moon. Label your arrows to show which direction objects are moving.
Organize It! Station Directions It is recommended that you have completed at least two of the following stations before working at this station. -Read It! -Explore It! -Watch It! -Research It! Every student will answer the questions from the task cards on the lab sheet in the Organize It! Section. Please mix up the cards again before the next group arrives at this station.
Match each scenario with the object that will have the greatest gravitational force in that scenario. Write 3 of the matches on your lab sheet. Have the teacher check your matched sets.
Earth Astronaut in orbit on the International Space Station Mercury s orbit A comet from the Oort cloud Sun A rocket ship taking off from Earth Walking on the moon An astronaut halfway between Earth and the Moon Moon A meteoroid near Earth An Asteroid in the Asteroid belt Madsciencelessons.com, 2014
Gravity Explore It! Name Task Card #3 Mars- Jupiter- Saturn- Mercury- Write It! Task Card #1: Task Card #2: Task Card #3:
Gravity Name Illustrate It! Assess It! Read It! #1 #3 #2 #4 #1 #3 #2 #4 Research It! Task Card #3: Task Card #1: Task Card #4: Task Card #2:. Organize It! 1. 2. 3.
Gravity Name Watch It! Task Card #2: Task Card #3: Task Card #4:
Gravity Answer Key Explore It! Sun s Gravity Earth s Inertia Write It! Task Card #1: The Earth orbits the Sun because the Sun s gravity pulls on it. However, the moon is very close to the Earth and it orbits the moon because the gravity from Earth is stronger than the gravity from the Sun at that distance. Task Card #2: The larger an object is the more gravitational force it will have. More mass = more gravity Task Card #3: The Sun s orbit wants to pull the Earth towards the Sun, but the Earth s inertia wants to send the Earth out into space. These forces balanced each other out and allow the Earth to safely orbit around the Sun.
Gravity Answer Key Illustrate It! Check to understand that the Earth orbits the Sun and the moon orbits the Earth due to its proximity Assess It! Read It! #1 B #3 A #2 D #4 C #1 B #3 C #2 C #4 D Research It! Task Card #1: The Earth is orbiting the Sun in a circle Task Card #3: The same as card 2 only a new planet is orbiting the Sun closer to the Sun much like our real solar system Task Card #2: The Earth is orbiting the Sun and the moon is orbiting the Earth Task Card #4: gravity Organize It! Earth: Astronaut in ISS, Rocket taking off, astronaut halfway between Earth and the moon, meteoroid near Earth. Sun: Mercury s orbit, a comet from the Oort cloud, and asteroid in the asteroid belt Moon: walking on the moon
Gravity Answer Key Watch It! Task Card #2: 1. Nebula Task Card #2 1. Stardust and gravity Task Card #3 1. The solar system was started in a nebula. Spiraling discs of dust (star dust) where held together by gravity while the Sun was being formed in the middle of everything. The Sun began the process of nuclear fusion and the electromagnetic waves eventually blew away the remainder of the dust to beyond the edge of our solar system. The 8 planets that formed were too large to be blown away by solar wind and are now held in place by the gravity of the Sun.